Computational Studies of Microscopic Superfluidity in the 4He Clusters

The physics that result in the decoupling of a molecule from a bosonic solvent at 0 K are studied. Fixed-node diffusion Monte Carlo (FNDMC) coupled with a Genetic Algorithm is used to perform simulations of the bosonic droplets doped with various molecules. The efficacy and accuracy of this approach is tested on a strongly coupled 2-dimensional quartic oscillator with excellent results. This algorithm is then applied to 4He-CO and 4He-HCN clusters respectively in an effort to determine the factors that result in the onset of microscopic superfluidity. The decoupling of the doped molecule from the bosonic solvent is found to be, primarily, a result of the combined effect of the repulsive interaction between the helium atoms and bose symmetry. The effects of rotor size versus molecular anisotropy in a NH3 molecule seeded into a 4He droplet is studied as well. Simulations are done using the accurate rotational constants (B0=9.945 cm-1, C0=6.229 cm-1) and using fudged versions of the rotational constants (Bfudged=0.9945 cm-1, Cfudged=0.6229 cm-1) for the |0011〉state. The simulations done with the fudged rotational constants experience a slightly smaller reduction than those done using the accurate rotational constants. This is attributed to the importance of molecular anisotropy versus the size of larger rotational constants in molecules whose rotational constants fall in an intermediate regime

Data privacy in Africa’s ed-tech platforms : children’s right to privacy

In the past decade, there has been a significant increase in the use of educational technology (Edtech) platforms on the African continent. A number of these platforms utilize Artificial Intelligence (AI) and have revolutionized the global education sector. When a website or platform is intended for children, it must comply with national data protection laws, which are intended to safeguard children's personal information in the digital space. While there are valuable opportunities to use AI in ways that benefit children, there are crucial questions we must ask and answer in order to better safeguard children from the potential negative effects of AI

The agronomic and economic benefits of fertilizer and mulch use in highland banana systems in Uganda

Banana is the most important food crop in Uganda. However, there has been a decline in productivity, attributed to declining soil fertility, drought, pests and diseases and crop management factors. This study aimed to explore the possibility of increasing yields through the use of fertilizer and mulch, and to evaluate the benefits of these inputs across the major banana producing regions in Uganda. This study was carried out in 179 smallholder plots in Central, South, Southwest and East Uganda in 2006/7. Half of the plots were ‘demonstration plots’ of an agricultural development project, while the other half were neighboring farmer plots that acted as ‘control’. Demonstration plots received mineral fertilizer (100% of plots), averaging 71 N, 8 P, 32 K kg ha−1 yr−1 and external mulch from grass and crop residues (64% of plots), whereas control plots received no mineral fertilizer and little external mulch (26% of plots). Demonstration plots had significantly (P ⩽ 0.05) higher yields than control plot in Central, South and Southwest, but average yield increases varied from 4.8 t ha−1 yr−1 (Southwest) to 8.0 (Central), and 10.0 (South). Average weevil corm damage (3%) and nematode-induced root necrosis (7%) was low and similar for both plot types, so yield increases could only be explained by the use of fertilizer and mulch. The highest demonstration plot yield increases were observed where fertilizer addressed key nutrient deficiencies identified using the compositional nutrient diagnosis approach. Farm gate bunch prices declined from 0.17 (Central Uganda) to 0.07 USD kg−1 (Southwest Uganda). Consequently, average marginal rate of return (MRR) of fertilizer and mulch use ranged from 0.1 (Southwest) to 5.8 (Central). The technologies were likely to be acceptable to farmers (MRR ⩾ 1.00) up to 160 km away from the capital. Fertilizer use is likely to be acceptable in all regions (MRR = 0.7–9.4) if local fertilizer prices of 2006/7 (average USD 0.56 kg−1 of fertilizer) declined by 50%. Doubling of fertilizer prices is likely to make fertilizer use unacceptable beyond 100 km away from the capital. The study concludes that there is scope for increased input use in banana systems in Uganda, but that regional variations in crop response, input/output prices, and price fluctuations have to be taken into account

AI in Africa : Framing AI through an African Lens

Development and adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) in Africa has occurred slowly relative to developed countries. A vibrant AI ecosystem is growing on the continent. Due to the unique geographical, cultural and political nature of the continent, the 4th industrial revolution on the continent is evolving differently from its global counterparts. The motivations for development of AI systems, the parties involved, and the impact of the AI ecosystem on the continent are therefore best analyzed and framed through a unique African lens. This paper seeks to begin this process by developing a conceptual framework to characterize the parties involved in the African AI ecosystem. i.e., the African AI stakeholder. Identification of these stakeholders will aid in determining their interests, responsibilities and accountability and will provide a basis for the development and implementation of an equitable AI ecosystem. It is our goal that this framework, ultimately, be used to guide the contributions from the African AI perspective in global dialogues on ethics, bias, inclusion and similar topics in the AI sphere.El desarrollo y la adopción de la inteligencia artificial (IA) en África se han producido con lentitud en relación con los países desarrollados. Un vibrante ecosistema de IA está creciendo en el continente. Debido a la singular naturaleza geográfica, cultural y política del continente, la cuarta revolución industrial en el continente está evolucionando de manera diferente a sus homólogos mundiales. Por lo tanto, las motivaciones para el desarrollo de los sistemas de IA, las partes involucradas y el impacto del ecosistema de IA en el continente se analizan y enmarcan mejor a través de una lente africana única. El presente documento trata de iniciar este proceso elaborando un marco conceptual para caracterizar a las partes que intervienen en el ecosistema africano de la IA, es decir, el actor africano de la IA. La identificación de estas partes interesadas ayudará a determinar sus intereses, responsabilidades y rendición de cuentas y servirá de base para el desarrollo y la aplicación de un ecosistema de IA equitativo. Nuestro objetivo es que este marco, en última instancia, se utilice para orientar las contribuciones desde la perspectiva de la IA africana en los diálogos mundiales sobre la ética, el sesgo, la inclusión y temas similares en la esfera de la IA.Le développement et l'adoption de l'intelligence artificielle (IA) en Afrique s'est fait lentement par rapport aux pays développés. Un écosystème d'IA dynamique se développe sur le continent. En raison de la nature géographique, culturelle et politique unique du continent, la 4e révolution industrielle sur le continent évolue différemment de ses homologues mondiaux. Les motivations du développement des systèmes d'IA, les parties impliquées et l'impact de l'écosystème de l'IA sur le continent sont donc mieux analysés et encadrés à travers une lentille africaine unique. Le présent document vise à amorcer ce processus en élaborant un cadre conceptuel permettant de caractériser les parties impliquées dans l'écosystème africain de l'IA, c'est-à-dire la partie prenante africaine de l'IA. L'identification de ces parties prenantes aidera à déterminer leurs intérêts, leurs responsabilités et leur obligation de rendre compte et servira de base au développement et à la mise en œuvre d'un écosystème d'IA équitable. Notre objectif est que ce cadre soit utilisé pour guider les contributions du point de vue de l'IA africaine dans les dialogues mondiaux sur l'éthique, les préjugés, l'inclusion et autres sujets similaires dans la sphère de l'IA

Coffee-Banana Intercropping: Implementation guidance for policymakers and investors

Coffee-Banana Intercropping (VBI) addresses all 3 pillars of CSA in a multifaceted way. CBI in both Arabica nad Robusta generates 50% more revenue then either coffee or banana monocrop. Farmers' risk is reduced by practising CBI, making them more resilient to climate change impacts. Transformational changes are needed in the attitude towards CBI, to support scaling up of the practice